Page 82 of Talk About… Trouble

“It’s not my heat, but I think it’s great. It smells like all of you.”

“What about the animals?” I questioned, looking at Shepherd. “We were talking about this on our date the other night. Is there someone that you can have look after them if we ever take vacations or when we’re in the hospital going into labor, things like that?”

“I’ve got someone I can trust,” Shepherd reassured us. “I don’t have to call him in often, but they’ll be here without question.”

One of the kids cried out inside, the sound echoing through the open screen door. Braxton was up and moving while the rest of us put out the fire and followed him in.

I hoped it wouldn’t be a long night.

We wereall up a lot sooner than we anticipated, half the kids rising by six right along with the sun. Shepherd was really the only one who was coherent at this time of day, but the coffee was brewing, and everyone but me was already two cups in by the time breakfast was finished.

“Do we get to see the animals?” Henry asked.

“Can we pet them?” Ben added.

“Do you have horses we could ride?” Lily asked excitedly.

Shepherd went into Papa Bear mode, shaking his head sadly. “There’s something you kids got to know about a farm like this. We’re a sanctuary for animals, which means that we protect them. These are animals that were too sick, too small, or abandoned and needed a home. Half of them take medicine. We have to be extra gentle with them, so I don’t have animals for riding, but they sure do love to soak in some love. I’m actually going to go feed the goats. Does anybody want to join me? I think Wren prepped some treats for you to feed them.”

“You guys go out, I got to call Mama Whitaker and make plans for tonight,” Nash said, giving me a kiss before Shepherd, Braxton, and I grabbed the kids and headed outside.

It would give the others a chance to clean up, make their phone calls, and recover from the chaos of the morning. We’d grown so used to our quiet routine that this was a stark change.

They must have taken Shepherd’s words to heart. By the time we got to the goat and rabbit pens, they were subdued, talking in hushed voices and being so adorably gentle.

They followed every instruction, and soon all six of them were in the pens, laughing and petting the goats, and snuggling the bunnies. Even the older ones, Trinity and Carter, had smiles on their faces as they joined in.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had crowds out here. They’ll be looking forward to these weekends just as much as the kids do.”

He pulled me to his side and placed a kiss on the top of my head.

“It’s kind of nice having kids around here, isn’t it?”

“It is,” I agreed. “You’re good with them.”

“They’re good kids. It’s easy. I know what it’s like to be raised by parents that don’t give a shit. All mine wanted was for me to be a tough alpha like them. I think if I would have designated as a beta at eighteen, they would have kicked me right out.”

“That’s terrible,” I said, shaking my head. “Do you ever talk to them?”

“No, and I’m not sad about that. They created this illusion that they were the only worthy ones, that only alphas could be strong and unemotional, like anger isn’t an emotion.” He rolled his eyes. “They can live the miserable little lives they formed for themselves. As for me, I’ll be here, happy and packed up.”

We passed out a few more goat treats to the kids before he continued.

“Funny enough, that was probably their worst nightmare for me.”

“Imagine,” I said. “Two whole omegas. They probably think it’s an act of defiance.”

“Maybe it’s just the universe trying to even things out,” he snorted. “Either way, I’d say I’m a winner. Even if things work out with Braxton’s grandmother, I think we need to keep this up once a month.”

My eyes were trailing along the small animal pen, watching the children laughing and petting the goats, feeding them, running around so they would hop after them.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

Devon walked in. From the way he was brimming with excitement, I knew something was up.

“What would you guys say if I treated tonight’s cookout like a trial run of ‘Devon’s Dates’? I’ve been picking up things here andthere, ordering some items online, and I think I’m ready to do some practice rounds.”

“I didn’t even realize you were that far along,” I said. “You absolutely should, and you’re going to get some good feedback because a bunch of packs are going to be here.”

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